Meaning of 'cook up a storm'

[Tan Elaine]

Is 'cook up a storm' an accepted expression or is it slang?

Thanks.

[bhaisahab]

Is 'cook up a storm' an accepted expression or is it slang?

Thanks.

I'm not familiar with it, what is it supposed to mean?

[Tan Elaine]

I was told that it means to do something with a lot of energy and often skill.

[bhaisahab]

Thanks, bhaisahab.

I was told that it means to do something with a lot of energy and often skill.

Thanks, I couldn't have guessed that. Sorry I can't help you with it.

[Rover_KE]

According to this, it means 'to cook an amazing meal'.

I wouldn't say it's widely accepted or slang.

Rover

[BobK]

According to this, it means 'to cook an amazing meal'.

I wouldn't say it's widely accepted or slang.

Rover

(Note, Rover didn't write 'or a slang'. 'Slang' is not countable (although in some national variants I believe it is - Indian English, for example).)

A similar inversion is idiomatic: 'a storm is brewing' - it's the storm that does the work! This can be used both meteorologically and figuratively (of emotions or a dramatic turn of events, typically);
'They seemed to be working together well, but a storm was brewing.'
'Everything seemed to be going right for him, but a storm was brewing.'


(The second example can be made more graphic: 'For him, the sky was always blue. But storm-clouds were gathering on the horizon.')

b

[Barb_D]

It's a very common expression in the US, and not limited to cooking.

I'm going to hit the clubs and dance up a storm.
I've got 30 people coming for dinner so today I'm going to cook up a storm.

[JMurray]

"Cook up a storm" and other variants as per Barb D's post, are also heard in Aust/NZ.

[Tdol]

It's a very common expression in the US, and not limited to cooking.

I'm going to hit the clubs and dance up a storm.
I've got 30 people coming for dinner so today I'm going to cook up a storm.

I've heard it in BrE, though it's an import.

[stefanietran]

in my opinion it means doing st enthusiastically and energetically. It is not only "cook" but verbs which are also accepted.